I was given this Beautiful Antique Treadle Sewing Machine when our
Dear Aunt passed away. We believe that it was used by our Aunt's
Mother-in-Law. This is a machine similar to the one I was taught to
sew on when I was just 5 years old. I remember it being a bit of a
challenge to make the machine go 'forward', but when I got it, I got
it! I have been sewing for 58 years and have come a long way since my
first garment I made for myself at age 8...a dress with buttons and
buttonholes, side zipper and pleated skirt. A Peter Pan Colllar finished
my efforts. We have a lot of parts and attachments and the machine
still works.

Although we do not know much more about this machine, we are
hoping that someone will give us enough information about it to
answer a bunch of questions. We are not sure if this machine brand
is a singer or non-singer brand, but look forward to any information.

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Comments

QueenBee, 6 years agoThe name on the machine is "Domestic" and it appears several times on the
machine. There are also several 5-point stars. It has a tension guide on the top
of the arm and a long bobbin that is would with tread of the lower right on the
machine. The machine and wooden cover have Gold Filigree and the case has
the "DOMESTIC" printed on it.

YardSaleDave, 6 years agoDomestic was one of many manufactures during that period, along with Standard, Jones, White, New Home, Princess, Franklin, Household, Westinghouse, Remington, Greybar, Minnesota and of course Singer. Yours may have been one of the brands sold through Sears or Mont. Wards.
It's seems to be in very nice condition and would make a nice display/ conversation piece.
Value wise, maybe $100 to $150.

QueenBee, 6 years agoThanks "Yard Sale Dave" but I still have no idea of age or value. You did suggest that it would be a nice display or a conversation piece...and we have and are doing that. I need more about it and have come up on walls all over. If you can
enlighten me or give me some "Good Orderly Direction" I would surely appreciate it.

Nancy Salisbury, 6 years agoI have one just like it . Mine also has the silver decorations between the drawers and a owners name plate on the front . Or at least I think it is an owners name plate . It says something about Potter on the name plate . I would go look at it , but right now it is in the back of the storage room with things piled in front of it .
If you go to this web site you may be able to find some information . You will have to join to leave a question , but it is free to sign up .
" wefixit,shade tree mechanics " It is a group that collects and repairs vintage and antique sewing machines .

QueenBee, 6 years agoNancy-Thank you for the information! There is/was an actual Sewing Machine Co. out of New York that was bought out in 1924. The Pattened dates on this machine in from May 16, 1863 to May 15, 1876...with a number of 1283678 under the pattened dates. These dates (and there are 8 of them) is on the slide used to reveal the bobbin. Is this what you have also? Anyone else have more
feedback on this beauty? Thanx

QueenBee, 6 years agoI was looking a bit further at the machine and I found this number-256629. It
was under the slide plate. How can I get an owners manual on how to thread the machine and operate it. It appears to go backwards instead of forward and, I cannot for the life of me, get it to go forward. Thank you.

Kelli Williams, 6 years agoHi Queen Bee! I was so excited to see your post because I just acquired this exact same model of Domestic machine from my Mother in Law. From the images I can tell no difference between the two! I have looked for more information but have had little luck. If you have gotten any further information about this model could you please give me an update! I am just thrilled to have a beautiful antique piece like this one that has been in our family for years and would love to know more about it! Thank you for your help. Kelli

Rita Effler, 6 years agoGetting ready for a church yard sale we came upon a beautiful vintage treadle sewing machine "Progress". Manual and accessories inside but cover page of manual is missing so cannot identify who/where/when made. In a drawer was a pair of prescription glasses, with the Rx, dated about 1927. Any ideas?

Nancy Salisbury, 6 years agoQueenBee : I have been meaning to tell you . I have a copy of the manual for the Domestic Sewing machine . I ordered it off the internet . I think it cost me around $15.00 . If you would like a copy I guess I could make one of my manual and send it to you .

QueenBee, 6 years agoNancy~Although it would be nice to have, I couldn't ask you to photo it as you have already been so helpful. I have had soooooooo many people comment on this posting and in person that I feel they might offer up their first born for it! To that I can only say, "Thanks, but no thanks". My husband and I have 3 adult children between us and I think we really love being "Empty Nesters".

joe ellis, 6 years agonow much can i sell this for domestic rotary electric sewing machines 153 series 1869

joe ellis, 6 years agohow much can i get

Nancy Salisbury, 6 years agojoe : It is nearly imposible to give a value for anything without seeing it . Condition is everything . If it was at one time a treadle machine that someone took out of the cabinet and put a motor on even if it were in good condition it has already lost value . If it is all original it all depends on it's condition ( if it sews , accutally forms a stitch ) and what someone is willing to pay for it . Condition is everything the paint and decals ( if it has them ) need to be in good condtion for it to bring any money at all .

Sharon Clarke, 6 years agoI am researching antique treadles for my daughter. I have a 1920 Singer with attachments and manual that I bought from the original owners estate. Fortunately my youngest daughter likes the fabric arts too and has always wanted one like mine. She saw a machine at a going out of business sale and bought it. Now I have been exploring it and the accoutrements to see just what it is. We know that it is an early Domestic with accessories made by E J Toof from New Haven, Conn. We also think we have the model number. We can see patent no.s(?) on the back slide plate and some writing on the front.There are also indications of some type of floral design on the body that seems to have been painted over with black paint. It has been neglected dreadfully but not abused. The chrome(?) plating has worn down to make it unreadable. I stumbled across your site and found all of this information on other Domestics. I too would like to get a manual and info on how to use this and the accessories. Where did your participant find their manual online? If you can give me links to other informational sources on dating and identifing the machine I would really appreciate it. Thanks, Sharon

Nancy Salisbury, 6 years agoSharon : The internet site where I bought my manual for the Domestic treadle sewing machine does not seem to be working any more . However you can find the manual at " Relics " < sewing-machine-manuals.com > . I was just on their site and the manual there is $17.00 . It is the manual for the leaf spring top tension . When you get to the site look for Domestic , smmm 1040 . That is the manual I think you need for your machine . Also if you e-mail Linda ( I think that is the ladies name ) at Relics I think she can give you some help on the year your machine was made . I have bought other manuals from Relics and they are nicely done reproductions . They are also very nice people to deal with .

Bernadette, 6 years agoHi Sharon - if your daughter wants a machine to use I really recommend that you look for one that you can still get needles and bobbins for. The Singer treadles with a round bobbin would be the most suitable type - such as a model 15 or 66. Some of the other brands of treadles will also use available needles and bobbins but many do not. The other good thing with Singer treadles is that the attachments are generally interchangeable, and the manuals are available for free from Singer's website.

Sharon Clarke, 6 years agoThanks- Nancy and Bernadette. My daughter was just intrigued because of my life long sewing habits and tales of the machines I learned to sew on and she knew I planned to use my 20' Singer Treadle to make some repro quilts- eventually. When she found it I think she originally was going to give it to me but decided it was worth keeping for herself. I talked her into majoring in Family and Consumer Science and she is in her 7th year teaching it in middle school and is getting interested in doing more with her sewing skills. The machine needs a lot of cleaning and probably a new belt. F0rtunately her Dad can fix it up.If he can restore a 29 model A from the frame out he can do her machine. I just am not sure what the attachments are or how to use them. I am going to check out the site you suggested Nancy and will let you all know what I find - when I find it. Thanks again. Sharon

newbuf, 3 years agoI have Goodrich A treadle sewing machine. I cant seem to find any information on the madel A. Can anyone tell me the years of prodution, and any history on this model? is it a collecible model? It is in poor condition, but the moving parts still move. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
newbuf

Carol123, 1 year agolooking for a copy of a manual for a domestic treadle sewing machine and would like to have a poster I have this machine in good working condition want to know more about it thanks jbhage2014@yahoo.com

Carol123, 1 year agoto Nancy Salisbury I would like to have a copy of the domestic sewing machine if you know where I can get one please let me know thank you jbhage2014@yahoo.com

pinkbaseball, 1 month agoI have this exact same machine and am planning on a restoration project. Is it safe to use naval jelly to remove rust that has collected on the accessories?

dvoorheis, 26 days agoComing late to the party I fear, however, as I approach retirement, I pulled the packing blanket off my grandmother's sewing machine that has followed us from house to house since she passed. My father said it was the second treadle machine she owned as grandpa could no longer fix her first one. That would put it in the 19 20 - 1930 time frame. It is the Domestic Treadle machine with the "Coffin Box" cover. Most of it's deterioration is due to age (as opposed to mis-use). The belt is gone, however there are some sewing accessories in the right drawer (only 2 drawers). It seems to me to be a candidate for clean up and refurbishment, however, it may only be a source for parts (pinkbaseball?) Regarding forward or backwards motion, I understand that this was a problem with treadle machines. One had to turn the wheel on the machine forward as one started to pedal to get the treadle action moving in the right direction. After some practice my grandmother could do it easily.